Pitching game



April 21, 1970 G. J. MILLER 3,507,496

PITCHING GAME Filed Aug. 9, 1967 ATTOQNE x s United States Patent 3,507,496 PITCHING GAME George J. Miller, 2441 Arthur St., Hollywood, Fla. 33020 Filed Aug. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 659,418 Int. Cl. A63b 67/06 US. Cl. 273-100 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game of skill is disclosed in which a projectile, having a pair of elongated side members and an interconnecting cross member forming a pair of oppositely directed, partial enclosures, is capable of assuming, when pitched, various orientations with respect to a target having a pair of different length angularly disposed stakes.

This invention relates to a game of skill and more particularly to a game of skill in which a projectile pitched toward a target is capable of assuming various orientations with respect thereto, providing different scoring possibilities.

A variety of games of skill have been proposed in which a projectile, or missile, is pitched toward a target, the object being to position the projectile in a specific manner relative to the target. Principal among these is the game of horseshoes in which a substantially U-shaped projectile or horseshoe is pitched toward a distantly located, upstanding target stake with the purpose of positioning the horseshoe around the stake. Various modifications of the basic horseshoe game have been proposed. These modifications principally involve substituting for the conventional horseshoe a projectile of a different shape, such as, a circular or triangular ring.

The problem with the pitching games of the various prior art proposals is that they each encompass only a relatively narrow range of skill and, consequently, have only a limited range of appeal. For example, in some of the proposed pitching games the degree of skill required to participate with any substantial degree of satisfaction is so low that only beginners are interested in playing. Those who have played the game for even relatively short periods of time become sufliciently skilled and thereafter find the game dull. Alternatively, some of the proposed pitching games are so difficult that only those who are extremely skilled find participation a satisfactory and rewarding experience. In these games, beginners and those having relatively low levels of skill are easily frustrated.

Understandably, pitching games which can be played by people having skills ranging only over a very narrow band, whether it be easy or difficult, do not have widespread appeal. It is not possible for a group of participants having widely varying skills to play the same game, and do so in a rewarding manner. For example, it is not possible, with games so characterized, for all members of a family, including both adults and children of varying ages having different skills, to participate in the same game on a satisfying basis.

In addition, with respect to any given player, a pitching game having a narrow skill band is only satisfying for a relatively short period, namely, that period of ones development when his skill coincides with the relatively narrow skill band characterizing the pitching game. For example, if the game has a low skill level, a point is soon reached where a given participants proficiency soon ex ceeds that required to play the game with a reasonable degree of satisfaction. Such pitching games, therefore, have limited usefulness.

It has been an objective of this invention to provide a pitching game which is susceptible of being played, in a 3,507,496 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 rewarding and satisfying manner, by individuals whose skills vary over a wide range. This objective has been 21ccomplished in accordance with one form of the invention by utilizing a very unique and unobvious concept in which the structural configuration of the projectile and target are such as to provide a variety of different possible relative orientations, each requiring a different degree of skill to achieve, thereby making it possible for participants having varying degrees of skill to successfully participate and obtain at least a minimum score.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention the above concept is practiced by providing a projectile having a pair of elongated side members interconnected by a cross member at points intermediate their ends, thereby forming a rigid member having two oppositely extending U- shaped partial enclosures. Cooperating with the uniquely configured projectile is a target having a pair of spaced, different length stakes adapted to be secured at their lower ends to the ground or other suitable playing surface and disposed toward the participants at a slight angle to the vertical.

With the projectile and target described, a variety of relative orientations, requiring different degrees of skill, are possible. For example, it is possible for the projectile to be pitched at the target and land such that the cross member is disposed in the space between the target stakes. It is also possible for the projectile to assume an orientation relative to the target such that one of the stakes or, alternatively, both of the stakes, are surrounded by one of the U-shaped partial enclosures of the projectile formed by the cross member and a pair of adjacent ends of the side members.

In addition to the projectile-target configurations described above, a variety of configuration in which the pro jectile leans against one or more of the target stakes are possible. For example, it is possible to have one or the other of the side members of the projectile lean against either one or both of the stakes. Alternatively, it is possible to have the cross member lean against one or both of the stakes.

Thus, with a very simply constructed projectile and target, a pitching game has been providing having a variety of possible projectile-target orientations. This variety increases the probability that each toss or pitch of a projectile will result in one or another of the configurations described, thereby affording to even the most unskilled participant the possibility of scoring, as well as providing to the more skilled players a challenge in the form of attempting to achieve the more difficult of the configurations.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a pair of the targets of this invention disposed with respect to each other in a manner preferred for practicing the game.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing a preferred form of the projectile of this invention;

FIGURES 3-11 are plan views of the target stakes and one or more projectiles illustrating a variety of different scoring orientations that one or more projectiles may assume with respect to a target stake.

A preferred embodiment of a game of skill incorporating the various concepts of this invention is depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2. FIGURE 1 illustrates a pair of identical pitching targets 10 suitable for use with the pitching device or projectile depicted in FIGURE 2. Referring to FIGURE 1, each of the pitching targets 10 is seen to include a rectangular base 11 mounting a pair of stakes 12. The rectangular base 11 is preferably fabricated of steel. However, other suitable materials may be used, such as wood or high impact plastic. The base 11 is secured in any convenient manner to a suitable playing area, such as, to the ground if the game is practiced outdoors, or to the floor if practiced indoors. For example, if the game is practiced outdoors, the base 11 may be secured to the ground by driving spikes through appropriately located holes (not shown) formed in the base.

The pair of stakes 12 include a front stake 13 and a rear stake 14. The stakes are rigidly secured at their lower ends to the base 11 in any suitable manner. Preferably, the stakes 13 and 14 are circular in cross section, have rounded upper ends, and are formed of steel, wood or high impact plastic. For the sake of compactness, the lower ends of the stakes 13 and 14 may be threaded for engagement with suitably threaded holes (not shown) formed in the base 11, thereby permitting the stakes to be removed from their operative positions, depicted in FIGURE 1, for storage, carrying or the like.

The stakes 13 and 14 are spaced a distance L6 from, and disposed parallel to, each other, lie in a plane perpendicular to the base 11, and are inclined at an angle 15 of approximately 30 with respect to the plane of the base. The angulation of the stakes 13 and 14 approximately coincides with the probable terminal trajectory of a normally pitched projectile, thereby making it easier for a participant to produce a scoring orientation of the pro jectile relative to the target 10. The rear stake 14 is longer than, and overlies, the front stake 13. This, too, makes a scoring projectile-target orientation easier since, by aiming the projectile at the upper end of the rear target which projects above the front target stake 13, it is possible to position the projectile between the stakes with a low trajectory pitch, low trajectory pitches being inherently more accurate than high ones.

In practice, it has been found that the following dimensions for the stakes 13 and 14 are preferred:

Rear stake 14 lengthl4 inches above playing surface Front stake 13 length8 inches above playing surface Rear stake 14 diameten-Vsinch Front stake 13 diameter-Vs inch Spacing L6 between stakes 13 and 142 /z inches The projectile or pitching device 20 suitable for use in connection with the pitching target 10 is depicted in FIGURE 2. The projectile 20 includes a pair of spaced lateral or side members 21A and 21B interconnected at their midpoints by a cross member 23. Preferably the members 21A and 21B, and 23 are coplanar. The members 21 and 23 together form an H-shaped pitching projectile 20 having partial enclosures A1 and A2 respectively defined by cross member 23 and adjacent ends 26A and 26B of side members 21A and 21B, and cross member 23 and adjacent ends 25A and 25B of side members 21A and 21B. The lateral or side members 21A and 21B are disposed parallel to each other, as well as perpendicular to the cross member 23. However, if desired, the orientation of the side members 21A and 21B can be varied. For example, the cross members 21A and 21B may be disposed in non-parallel fashion, forming at one end a narrow opening and at the other end a correspondingly wider opening.

The pitching device 20 may be fabricated of steel, wood, rubber or high impact plastic. However, steel is a preferred material for outdoor use, while plastic or rubber are preferred materials for indoor use. The cross member 23 and the side members 21A and 21B are preferably integral, although if desired the members may be separately fabricated and secured to each other by suitable fastening techniques to provide a rigid and unitary structure.

In any projectile design essential requirements with respect to the dimensions of the pitching device 20 must be satisfied. First, the transverse dimension L1 of the cross member 23 must be less than the distance L6 between the stakes 13 and 14. This permits the cross member 23 to be positioned between the stakes 13 and 14 for reasons to be described. Secondly, the distance L2 between at least one set of the adjacent ends 25A or 25B and/or 26A and 26B of the side members 21A and 21B must exceed the maximum distance L3 between the outer portions of the stakes 13 and 14, thereby permitting both stakes to be positioned within the area A1 and/ or A2.

Except for the above two dimensional restrictions on the size of the pitching device 20, the dimensions of the pitching device may be selected as desired by the user. In practice, it has been found that the following projectile dimensions are preferred:

Width L1 of cross member 231% inches Length L4 of side members 21A and 21B7%z inches Width L5 of side members 21A and 21B-1V8 inches Thickness L7 of members 21A, 21B and 23 /2 inch Length L2 of cross member 234% inches As an optional structural feature, calks 28 may be provided on the ends of each of the side members 21A and 21B. In practice, it has been found preferable to provide calks 28 on the ends 25A, 25B, 26A and 26B of pitching devices 20 as well as on the cross member 23, when projectiles 20 are fabricated of steel for outdoor use.

The pitching device 20 and target 10 may be used for formulating a variety of different skill games, depending on the desires of the user. In a preferred manner of use, a pair of identical pitching targets 10 is provided for use with a pair of identical pitching devices or projectiles 20. The targets 10 are secured to the playing surface at a distance of approximately 25 ft., if used indoors, or 30 ft., if used outdoors. The targets are disposed relative to each other in the manner depicted in FIGURE 1; namely, with the stakes 13 and 14 of the left and right targets located in the same plane and angled toward each other. In practice, the contestants take turns pitching the two projectiles toward one of the targets from behind a foul line appropriately located behind the other target, the object of the game being to position the pitched projectiles 20 with respect to the target 10 in one or more of the orientations depicted in FIGURES 3-11.

The various orientations that one or more of a pair of projectiles 20 may take with respect to the stakes 13 and 14 of a target 10 are illustrated in FIGURES 3-11. Specifically, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 3, it is possible for the projectiles 20 to be disposed with respect to the stakes 13 and 14 such that the cross member 23 of either one or both of the projectiles 20 is positioned between the stakes 13 and 14 when the projectiles are lying parallel to the plane of the base 11. Alternatively, as depicted in FIGURES 8 and 10, the projectiles 20 may be positioned with respect to the stakes 13 and 14 such that one or both of the projectiles have side members 21A and 21B surrounding one stake. It is also possible, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 11, to have the projectiles 20 positioned with respect to the stakes 13 and 14, such that one or both of the projectiles have their side members 21A and 21B enclosing both stakes.

Other orientations of the projectiles 20 relative to the targets 10 are possible. For example, as shown in FIGURE 4, one projectile may have its cross member 23 positioned between the stakes 13 and 14, while the other projectile has its side members 21A and 21B surrounding both stakes. Another possibility, as shown in FIGURE 6, is for one of the projectiles 20 to have its cross member 23 positioned between the stakes 13 and 14 and the other projectile to have its side members 21A and 21B surrounding one of the stakes. A still further possibility is to have one of the projectiles 20 positioned with its side members 21A and 21B surrounding one of the stakes, while the other pitching device has its side members 21A and 21B surrounding both stakes, as shown in FIGURE 7.

With the targets arranged as described above and a pair of pitching devices utilized, scoring may be done in any suitable manner. Preferably, points are allocated to the various possible projectile-target orientations on the basis of the ditficulty with which they are achieved. For example, a score of 6 points may be allocated to a pitch which results in a projectile 20 being located with respect to the stakes 13 and 14 as shown in FIGURE 9, a score of 4 points allocated to a pitch resulting in the orientation depicted in FIGURE 11, and a score of 3 points allocated for a pitch resulting in the orientation depicted in FIG- URE 10. With this scoring scheme, the maximum score for a given participant per turn, that is, per pitch of two projectiles, is 12, which results when the projectiles are oriented as shown in FIGURE 3. The minimum score per participant per turn is 3, which results when only a single projectile 20 is positioned with its arms 21A and 21B surrounding only a single stake as shown in FIGURE 10. Additional scores per participant per turn ranging between 12 and 3 are depicted in FIGURES 4-9 and 11. Specifically, scores of 10, 8, 9, 7, 6, and 4 are possible as shown, respectively, in FIGURES 4-9 and 11.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes may be made in the structure of the projectile 20 and target 10 without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A game of skill comprising:

a target having two stakes spaced a specified distance and adapted to be anchored at their lower ends to a playing surface, and

a projectile having a pair of elongated side members rigidly interconnected intermediate their ends by a cross member, said cross member having a length measured in a direction perpendicular to said side members which is larger than said specified distance between said stakes and the combined thicknesses of said stakes and having a width measured in a direction parallel to said side members which is smaller than said specified distance between said stakes, such that said projectile, when pitched toward said target, is suspectible in one orientation of having adjacent ends of said side members partially surround both of said stakes and in another orientation of having said cross member positioned between said stakes with different pairs of adjacent ends of said side members partially surrounding different ones of said stakes.

2. The game of skill of claim 1 wherein said stakes are substantially parallel and oriented with respect to said playing surface at an angle approximately coincident with the terminal trajectory of a projectile pitched from a remote point.

3. A game of skill of claim 1 wherein said side members are substantially parallel and interconnected at their approximate midpoints forming an H-shaped projectile.

4. A game of skill of claim 1 wherein portions of said side members extend beyond said cross member on both sides thereof at least a distance equal to the thickness of one of said stakes.

5. A game of skill comprising:

a target having two separate stakes adapted to be anchored at their lower ends to a playing surface, said stakes being differently dimensioned in length and angularly disposed relative to said playing surface with the longer stake overlying the shorter stake, and

a projectile having a pair of elongated side members rigidly interconnected intermediate their ends by a cross member, said cross member being dimensioned such that said projectile, when pitched toward said target, is susceptible in one orientation of having adjacent ends of said side members partially surround both of said stakes and in another orientation of having said cross member positioned between said stakes with difierent pairs of adjacent ends of said side members partially surrounding different ones of said stakes.

6. A game of skill of claim 5 wherein said side members are substantially parallel and interconnected at their approximate midpoints forming an H-shaped projectile.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 458,405 8/1891 Nolan 273- 1,097,035 5/ 1914 Lee. 1,523,756 1/1925 Collins 273104 X 1,929,922 10/1933 Hassenplug 273100 2,809,837 10/1957 Shepherd 273100 X ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 273-104, 106 

